The Upper Itchen Benefice

Exterior
St. Andrew's is listed Grade II and was built in 1772 on the foundations of what the Domesday survey noted as a chapel annexed to Cheriton. The church is in fact thought to be of Saxon or Norman origin. It was first restored in 1865 and then again in 1875 and 1898.

The Victorian restorations were quite severe and thus little of the original Norman features are visible. It is located close to the Manor House. It has seating capacity for 100 people. Kilmeston was a chapelry within Cheriton until the 19th century when it became a separate parish.

The Sanctuary
This detailed picture of the sanctuary at the east end of the church shows part of the oak communion rail which is probably early eighteenth century like the altar table. The clay tiles are Victorian.

Also shown are the piscina and aumbrey on the south side wall which are medieval. The aumbry, which originally had a locked door, was used for keeping the sacrament and/or the silver vessels for communion, the chalice (cup) and paten (plate). The piscina, which would have had a drain through to the earth, was used for washing and rinsing those vessels after use.